Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 overview

Spanning an impressive wide to telephoto range, the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4 IS PRO Lens from Olympus is a 24-200mm equivalent zoom designed for Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras. Characterized by its f/4 constant maximum aperture, this lens offers consistent performance throughout the zoom range to suit both stills and video shooting. Its optical design incorporates a slew of low dispersion and aspherical elements in order to reduce both chromatic and spherical aberrations, and both a ZERO coating and a Z Coating Nano have been applied to greatly reduce lens flare and ghosting for improved contrast.

Benefitting handling the expansive zoom range is an optical image stabilization system that works in conjunction with select cameras' 5-axis image stabilization to form Sync IS, which compensates for up to 6.5 stops of camera shake. A Movie & Still Compatible (MSC) high-speed imager AF system provides quick, accurate, and quiet focusing performance well-suited to both photo and video applications, and a manual focus clutch permits fast changing to MF for more precise control. Additionally, a lens function button is featured on the side of the barrel for direct settings adjustment, and the lens also features a weather-sealed construction for use in trying environmental conditions.

Spanning a wide-angle to telephoto range, this 12-100mm zoom is designed for Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras and provides a 24-200mm equivalent focal length range.

One double-sided aspherical element and three aspherical elements are featured in the optical design to limit spherical aberrations for improved sharpness with reduced distortion. Additionally, five extra-low dispersion elements, two Super HR (high-refractive index) elements, and one HR element are also used to control chromatic aberrations and color fringing for greater clarity and color fidelity.

Both a ZERO Coating and a Z Coating Nano are applied to individual lens elements to noticeable reduce surface reflections and prevent lens flare and ghosting for improved contrast and color neutrality in strong lighting conditions.

Lens-based image stabilization helps to minimize the appearance of camera shake to benefit shooting handheld with this lens in difficult lighting conditions. Additionally, this lens supports Synchronized IS, which pairs the optical IS system with select Olympus cameras' 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization to control up to 6.5 stops of camera shake.

A MSC autofocus system provides quick, quiet, and precise focusing performance to benefit both still photo shooting and movie recording. Additionally, an MF clutch is used for fast changing to manual focus for more precise control.

Weather-sealed construction guards the lens against dust and moisture for working in harsh environments.

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 reviews

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4 IS PRO Lens is rated
4.9 out of
5 by
47.

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Johannes from
Best Lens I have Ever Used!The lens has surpassed anything I have used. I am using this lens on my Panasonic Lumix GH5 and I have found the speed fast enough for videography, the constant F4 is very nice as well... One way it surpass the Canon Pro zoom lens I have been using is that the lens zoom ring has enough resistance that it does not zoom automatically/by gravity when the lens is pointed directly down, my Canon 24-105 zooms in just by gravity when I am photographing something on the ground. the Image Stabilization is amazing! - I am hoping a firmware update comes out so that I can use the IS on the lens with the IS in my GH5 which they tell me is compatible...

Date published: 2017-04-07

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Mike from
If I could only have one lens... it would be this lens. The perfect companion to the E-M1mII.
I own a lot of m4/3 and other lenses that can be adapted to m4/3. This is the first lens I have bought that overlaps other focal lengths, and it is totally worth it.
Weather sealing, new image stabilization, fast and quiet autofocus, wide zoom range, constant aperture, light weight for it's capabilities.
Some will be put off by the "slow" f/4, but with the low light and new IS on the E-M1mII, this lens performs wonderfully.
The only people that might not want this lens are ones that have the other Olympus Pro lenses. Even then, if you have the money, get this lens.

Date published: 2018-02-18

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Dennis from
Excellent Choice If You Can Only Take One LensThis is an excellent lens. In my tests I've found it very sharp at all focal lengths from wide open (f/4) to f/8. At f/11 a tiny bit of diffraction softening effects can be seen, but that aperture can certainly be used if necessary. I would not use it at f/16 as the image suffers from more diffraction effects than I care to see. A nice bonus is the lens' ability to focus very closely. I don't do a lot of macro or close-up imaging, but this lens serves my purposes very well. This is the lens you want to have with you if you can only take one lens for your travels and you are a m4/3 user. It won't let you down.

Date published: 2017-07-29

Rated 5 out of
5 by
WVfiddler from
Perfect match with the OMD E-M1 Mk. III have the 12-40/2.8 Pro and love it for the image quality and its build & ergonomics. I wanted to add this for the extra reach, and I'm glad I did. It's the same quality construction, the same (or better) image quality, and the image stabilization is very effective. Yeah, it's a little on the heavy side compared to other u4/3 lenses, but it's a lot more manageable than the big Canikon lenses and, to my eye, every bit as good. Great for travel; the OMD E-M1 camera, combined with this plus one fast 17mm or 25mm prime is a very compact and effective travel kit.

Date published: 2017-05-03

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Walterp from
excellent MFT zoomThis is an outstanding wide to modest-tele zoom, providing the FF equivalent of 24mm to 200mm with a constant f4 aperture. IQ of the central area at f4 is excellent for all focal lengths. By simply sliding the focus ring forward slightly you can shift to MF with the camera also shifting to MF mode, providing instant focus-peaking on screen and through the viewfinder. The Near-focus limit @ 100mm is into near-macro range, good enough for larger insects, and with the fine IQ it's good enough to allow cropping for smaller species. Focus acquisition on my Oly E-M 10 mk II is as fast as I could want. I've owned many different wide-to-tele zooms, APS-C and FF, and this is among my favorites for size, FL range and IQ. For a general-purpose zoom, this lens is very hard to beat.

Date published: 2017-11-01

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Thomas Geist from
Not the smallest or lightest but superb quality all aroundThis definitely is the perfect all around and travel lens. Yes, it's a bit large and heavy for Micro Four Thirds standards, but it may as well be the only lens you take on a trip. I upgraded from the 14-150 mm f/4-5.6 II and definitely had to get used to more size and weight - but finally having 12 mm focal length (which is very important to me) is great. This and a fixed maximum aperture of f/4 as well as the incredible image stabilization is well worth it. The build quality is in line with Olympus' other PRO line lenses and actually lens hood and front cap are improved compared to older PRO lenses. The image quality is great from f/4 on all the way into the corners. There are only a couple of small cons so far: 1. the size and weight - it is what it is, you can't beat physics. 2. The IS switch can be switched a bit too easy - and know this: if that switch is OFF, ALL IS is off, including in-camera IBIS! Otherwise a fantastic lens!

Date published: 2016-12-15

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Anonymous from
Sharpest Olympus/MFT lens to date!Having used pro level Nikon optics in the past and recently switching to Olympus MFT, I was, at first rather skeptical about this lens due to the price point however when I purchased this lens started using it, I was extremely surprised with the output. The constant f/4 aperture, unmatched build quality and the versatile focal range makes this lens an excellent 'always on' lens. Regarding size and weight, I find this lens to be of extremely light and portable given the specifications and the extremely high quality and exquisite output. The contrast and color rendition of this lens is unsurpassed, the bokeh is very pleasing (at least to me) and the image stabilization when paired with my EM-5 Mark II and EM1- Mark II is un-paralleled, taking my low light photography to another level all together.

Date published: 2017-02-16

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Rene from
Exceptional-One of the Best & Most Useful Focal LengthsThis lens is the perfect mate for the E-M1 Mark II. The lens is beautifully built, has a solid feel and impeccable finish. At all zoom levels, found the images to be extremely sharp, with good contrast and color. Shoot only RAW, after post processing the results are most satisfying. Also, own the Olympus 12-40mm Pro F2.8, which is terrific lens but falls short in the focal length (24-80mm 35mm equivalent). This lens' range is 24-200mm (35mm equivalent), making a perfect combination for traveling light (camera body & one lens). At F4 & six stop OIS, a tripod is not necessary for most common photographic situations. Also been using this lens with the FL-900R flash with full zoom coverage and excellent results. Yes, it is pricey, but well worth it, it eliminates the need for toting a camera bag with several prime lenses for the equivalent coverage.